April 21, 2015

Richter City Home season 2015: #1 Smash Malice vs Comic Slams

Last years champions Smash Malice faced off against Comic Slams in the opening game of the 2015 Richter City Roller Derby Home Season.

Each skater and official involved in the bout sported something teal on their person and were fundraising for Lifeline Aotearoa in remembrance of a young transgender derby skater in the States who recently committed suicide resultant from the struggles of transitioning. As MCs Ghetto Anger and Ella Kazam were telling the crowd this information and sharing Lifeline Aotearoa's details, it became the only time we've heard a derby crowd be completely silent.

Early in the first half, Smash Malice cemented a strong lead, we believe leading from playing heavily their strong seasoned jammers such as Princess Slayer and Skanda Lass, whilst Comic Slams were giving some of their new skaters such as Maulberry Jam and Custom Chaos some time wearing the star panty alongside the likes of experienced and very experienced Invisigirl and Tuff Bikkies. It felt like it had been an age since we last saw Bikkies jam as much as she did on Saturday, and she showed us she hasn't lost her magic in this role.

Lots of strong walls and heavy hits were abundant during the bout, leading to an already strapped Invisigirl catching a hit (or several) to her shoulder leading her to be subbed out of the penalty box to visit the St John's staff in attendance. While she returned to the bench a few jams later, the heavy hits on all skaters continued. Bailey's Comet, Bubble O'Kill and Volcanic Ash put in a lot of good work supporting the Malice jammers in all roles, just as we saw strong support coming from MillerGnomer over in Slams.

Newbies that we want to keep our eye on this season were May Maim skating for Malice, and Maulberry Jam on Comic Slams, but we look forward to seeing more of all of them!

The final score ended up as Smash Malice's 222 to Comic Slam's 107.

If you’re out and around the North Island this ANZAC day after honouring our war heroes, the Richter City All Stars are taking on the Swamp City Roller Rats (Palmerston North) All Stars at 6pm in Palmerston North. Check the Facebook event page for more details. Additionally, the Convicts are in Napier participating in a double header against Bay City Rollers’ Iron Maidens (who played the All Stars in November last year), whilst Bay City’s Twisted Sisters take on Rotorua’s Sulphur City Steam Rollers from 4pm.

Support Richter City by getting your 2015/16 Entertainment Book through them. I’ve a feeling they’ll want some help getting to Australia for a tournament in June, so if Entertainment Books aren’t your thing, keep an eye out on their Facebook page for other ways you might be able to help the travel fund.